Climate Action

Latest News: City Council Adopts Updated Climate Action Plan

On January 17, 2018, City Council unanimously approved the final Climate Action Plan (CAP) and the associated final Negative Declaration per California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) regulations. Adoption of this CEQA-qualified CAP was the culmination of a yearlong effort that included reevaluation of the City’s baseline greenhouse gas emissions inventory, establishment of emissions reduction targets consistent with State guidelines, and the development of strategies, goals, quantitative actions and qualitative supporting measures. The update process involved substantial community input, including four public workshops, three public comment periods, and regular input from the City’s Environmental Commission and the Commission’s CAP Subcommittee. To complete the update, to City received consultant support from SANDAG and internal staff support from multiple City departments.

What is Climate Change?

Over the past several decades, climate scientists have observed Earth’s temperature warming and global mean sea levels rising. The consensus among United States and international scientists is that this accelerated climate change is due to increases in human-caused greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions over the last century. If left unchecked, GHG emissions have the potential to cause widespread environmental and economic impacts, including increased intensity of storms, coastal erosion, longer droughts, and impacts to the global food system.

2018 Climate Action Plan

The City’s updated Climate Action Pan provides a roadmap for reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the implementation of various strategies, goals, actions and supporting measures. The CAP sets ambitious targets to reduce emissions:

13% below 2012 levels by 2020 and

41% below 2012 levels by 2030.

The CAP includes the seven overarching strategies and associated goals:

To learn about the City Actions and Supporting Measures outlined in the CAP, check out the adopted final CAP or the Climate Dashboard. On the dashboard you will also discover ways you can help take part in climate action and see the City’s progress being made towards reducing emissions.

Climate Adaptation

As a coastal community, it is of particular importance to understand the potential impacts of climate change. Sea level rise, in combination with stronger storms, could cause significant coastal erosion and damage to our beaches, bluffs and coastal infrastructure.

The City's Shoreline Management Program focuses on the protection and enhancement of the City’s coastline and will adapt to address the effects of climate change.